25 years of North Idaho eagle watch

A bald eagle pulls a fish out of Lake Coeur d’Alene at Higgens Point in Coeur d’Alene on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015. The lake is perfect place for eagles to feast on spawned-out kokanee salmon. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Standing in between the interstate and the lake, about 20 people squint skyward on a cold, overcast Tuesday morning.

“There is something emotional about them,” said Gary Winterholler. “I love the eagles. We are so lucky to live somewhere where we can get them.”

Winterholler pauses and watches two eagles swooping low over the lake.

“Oh wow,” he said. “They are just everywhere.”

Winterholler is standing on the shores of Wolf Lodge Bay, near Higgens Point, photographing the birds of prey. The eagles are hunting for spawning kokanee salmon. They sit perched on trees waiting to dive-bomb the fish. Read more. Eli Francovich, SR